Carolyn Morton is a British sculptor whose career spans more than three decades. Largely self-taught, she has developed an international practice working almost exclusively to commission, creating works ranging from intimate bronze portraits to monumental equestrian and figurative sculptures.
Her professional career began in 1989, when she was appointed Head of Product Development for a British collectibles company. She worked with some of Britain's most distinguished ceramics manufacturers, including Coalport, Wedgwood and Royal Worcester, as well as museums such as the Victoria and Albert, The Britsh Museum and the Natural History Museum. During this period, she collaborated with sculptors including the late Sheila Mitchell FRBS, who became her mentor and an important influence on her artistic development.
In 1995, Carolyn bought a bag of clay to see whether she could sculpt. This simple experiment marked the beginning of her career as a sculptor. Her first figurative piece was produced by Royal Worcester Porcelain that same year, followed by commissions from Royal Doulton and Wedgwood. Two years later, a commission of a much loved gun-dog to be cast in bronze, gave her the opportunity to change direction. She subsequently developed a practice in bespoke bronze sculpture.
In 2003, Carolyn moved to Dubai, where she undertook a number of significant commissions. Her most important works is a sculpture of seven racehorses each at 110% of life size installed at Zabeel Palace. Titled ‘The Race of Excellence’, each horse is portrait of a ‘classics’ winner placed racing through a 40m fountain. The composition combines her intimate understanding of horses with the technical and artistic challenges of large scale sculpture. Another major commission was a monumental size equestrian sculpture of His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan riding his horse, Vain Hussar, situated at the private palace of his son, the Ruler of Abu Dhabi. Her portrait commissions also include life-size bronze busts of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and HH Sheikh Zayed, the latter of which is situated in the Sheikh Zayed Museum
Carolyn moved to Portugal in 2012. In 2019, the Museu e Centro das Artes in Figueiró dos Vinhos hosted a solo retrospective exhibition of her bronze sculptures, selected from her personal collection and reflecting the development of her work over the course of her career. In 2024, she received a commission from the Câmara Municipal de Figueiró dos Vinhos for a bronze sculpture commemorating the 89th anniversary of the Bombeiros Voluntários in the town. Modelled at 110% of life size, the figure represents an unnamed hero returning to the Quartel after a successful mission. Conceived as a tribute to all firefighters, the sculpture honours their courage and dedication to the community. It stands in the public area opposite the Quartel.
Carolyn's approach to sculpture is founded on in-depth research and complete immersion in each project. Whether working with a human or animal subject, she seeks to capture not only physical likeness but also individual character, spirit and presence. Her lifelong connection with horses informs her equine work, while her commitment to understanding the history and context of each commission shapes her wider figurative practice.
Her latest work brings her career full circle. Drawing on her experience of sculpting, mould-making, casting and finishing, she is exploring in-studio ceramics and resin casting, allowing for greater freedom to experiment. This will also enable her to create smaller, more affordable sculptural pieces, making her work accessible to a wider audience.
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